Buying an apartment in Poland as a Ukrainian citizen — residence, mortgage and MSWiA permit

Buying an apartment in Poland as a Ukrainian citizen is fully possible in 2026 — both for cash and with a mortgage loan. Three issues are key: the basis for legal residence, mortgage creditworthiness, and whether a given property requires a permit from the Ministry of Interior and Administration (MSWiA). In this guide we explain each one step by step. The information is general in nature — details depend on your situation and current banking and office practices.

Can a foreigner buy an apartment in Poland?

Yes. The acquisition of a standalone residential unit (an apartment in a block with a separate land register entry) by a foreigner generally does not require an MSWiA permit. This is the most important information for most buyers from Ukraine — you will buy a standard apartment on the same terms as a Polish citizen.

Exceptions and situations requiring a permit are described below. We have also compiled the full, current procedure along with a list of documents on the MSWiA Permits page.

When is an MSWiA permit required

A permit from the minister responsible for internal affairs is required, among others, when acquiring:

• a single-family house together with land (a land property),
• a building plot or agricultural land,
• an apartment, when limits on the area of land assigned to the unit are exceeded or when the purchase involves a share in co-ownership of a land property exceeding what is necessary to use the unit (e.g. a shared playground, internal road, above-ground parking as a separate plot),
• a property located in a border zone — a permit may be required here, but not always: an apartment to which a cooperative ownership right to a unit applies can be purchased without an MSWiA permit even in this zone.

Citizens of European Economic Area countries and Switzerland are exempt from the obligation to obtain a permit. Ukrainian citizens do not have such an exemption — therefore, when buying a house or land, you must apply for a permit in advance. The procedure usually takes 1–2 months, and longer for more complex matters.

In practice: an apartment in a block — usually without a permit. A house with a garden or a plot — MSWiA permit before signing the notarial deed.

Legal residence basis and purchase and mortgage

For a cash purchase alone, a valid identity document and legal residence in Poland are sufficient. With a mortgage loan, banks analyze the residence basis much more carefully. The most commonly accepted are:

• a permit for permanent residence or a permit for long-term EU resident residence — treated most favorably,
• a permit for temporary residence (residence card) — accepted by some banks, usually with a requirement for sufficiently long validity,
• temporary protection and status resulting from special provisions — banks' approach here is varied and changes over time.

The bank will ask on what basis you legally reside in Poland, and will expect the residence document to remain valid for an appropriately long time — many banks want it to cover a significant part of the loan repayment period or for there to be a real prospect of its renewal.

Mortgage loan for Ukrainian citizens — conditions in 2026

In addition to the residence basis, banks take into account the same factors as for Polish citizens, with a few differences:

1. Own contribution — for Ukrainian citizens, banks usually apply the same conditions as for European Union citizens, i.e. standard 20%, without the increased requirements sometimes applied to other non-EU countries.
2. Income — income earned in Poland on an employment contract, documented by bank statements and an employer's certificate, is best assessed.
3. Credit history — it is worth building a positive history in BIK (e.g. a credit card or a small installment loan paid on time).
4. Loan currency — the loan is in zlotys, because you earn income in zlotys; this is standard and protection against currency risk.
5. Language proficiency — documents and the contract are in Polish; the bank may require the presence of an interpreter when signing.

In our office we provide service in Ukrainian, Russian and English — from creditworthiness analysis, through selecting a bank that accepts your residence basis, to residence documents and — when necessary — an MSWiA permit application. Book a free consultation via the page for clients from Ukraine or the regular contact form.

Purchase costs beyond the apartment price

Regardless of citizenship, buyers usually bear:

• 2% PCC tax — when buying from the secondary market (the primary market is exempt),
• notarial fee — depending on value, with a statutory maximum,
• court fees for registering ownership and mortgage in the land register,
• real estate office commission, if resulting from the contract,
• MSWiA permit fee — if required (treasury fee plus any translation and attorney costs).

In total, for an apartment from the secondary market this is approximately 3–4% of the price; for a house with land, the cost and time of the permit procedure are added.

Step by step — what the purchase looks like

1. Analysis of mortgage creditworthiness and residence basis — selection of a bank.
2. Selection of a property and checking whether it requires an MSWiA permit.
3. Preliminary contract (usually in the form of a notarial deed, with a deposit).
4. If necessary — an MSWiA permit application and waiting for a decision.
5. Mortgage application, valuation report, bank decision.
6. Mortgage contract and notarial deed transferring ownership.
7. Registration in the land register, fund disbursement, key handover.

Frequently asked questions

Does a Ukrainian citizen need an MSWiA permit to buy an apartment?

Usually not — the acquisition of a standalone residential unit in a block does not require a permit. A permit is needed primarily when buying a house with land, a plot, and a property in a border zone.

Can I get a mortgage on a temporary residence card?

Some banks accept this, usually provided the card has sufficiently long validity and income is earned in Poland. A permit for permanent residence or long-term EU resident residence provides the best negotiating position.

What own contribution must a Ukrainian citizen have?

Standard 20%, as for European Union citizens — banks generally do not apply increased requirements to Ukrainians, which are sometimes applied to other non-EU countries. Conditions are still worth comparing between banks.

How long does it take to obtain an MSWiA permit?

Usually from 1 to 2 months, and longer for more complex matters. The application must be submitted and a decision obtained before signing the notarial deed transferring ownership.

In what language are contracts signed?

In Polish. The bank or notary may require the presence of a sworn translator. Our office provides service in Ukrainian, Russian and English, so we go through the entire process in a language you understand.

Buying an apartment in Gorzów and need support in Ukrainian?

We will help at every stage — from checking mortgage creditworthiness, through selecting a bank and property, to the MSWiA permit and notarial deed. Leave your contact via the consultation page or contact form, or browse current apartment offers.